NJ college professor, youth girls coach busted on child porn charges

ABERDEEN – Prosecutors fear that a 56-year-old college professor and youth softball coach may have preyed on real-life victims after police busted him on a slew of child pornography charges.

Robert S. Berardo, a resident of Edgeview Road in Aberdeen, is is an adjunct professor at Middlesex County College and Raritan Valley College, and a former adjunct professor at Monmouth University.

Berardo also coached Aberdeen/Matawan Recreation softball from 2001 to 2008 and the recreation travel softball team in 2008 and 2009.

He was charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child for distribution of child pornography, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child for possession of child pornography with intent to distribute, and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child for possession of child pornography.

He faces as much as five to 10 years in prison if convicted on the most serious charges and would be subject to Megan's Law registration and parole supervision for life after release from prison.

Berardo was being held Friday at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold Township with bail set at $110,000 with no 10 percent option.

If released on bail, he is barred from using the internet or contacting any child under 18.

It was not clear Friday whether Berardo had an attorney.

Anyone with information about Berardo should contact Prosecutor's Office Det. Brian Migliorisi 732-431-7160 ext. 7185, or make an anonymous tip to 1-800-671-4400 or visiting www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.